Match-splint carrier.



Patented Sept. 3, |90l.

2Sheets-Sheet l'.

A. N. CAL-Kms.

MATCH SPLINT CARRIER.

(Application led Dec. 8, 1900.)

(No Model.)

No. 68I,872. Patented Sept. 3,'I90I.

A. N. CALKINS. MATCH SPLINT CARRIER.

(Application med nec. s, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT CEEICE.

ARTHUR N. CALKINS, OFFRANKLIN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOAMERICAN MATCH MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MATCH-SPLINT CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,872, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed December 8, 1900. Serial No. 39,212. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR N. CALxINs, a

citizen of the United States of America, and

My invention relates to improvements in a match-'splint carriers and particularly to the mean-s for locking the splints in said carriers.

My invention consists in improved means for locking the splints in a carrier and in means for rotating a match-splint about its longitudinal axis to a predetermined position when it has been presented to the carrier inV an undesired position and in locking it in the position to which it has been so rotated.

In carrying out my invention I employ a locking bar or plate having an orifice therethrough of sufficient size to freely receive and to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, the said orifices having a restricted extension which upon the relative movement of the match-splint with the bar or plate transversely of the match-splint grips the said splint and locks it in position. I preferably provide these said bars or plates in pairs and mount them upon a frame, so that the said bars or plates have a movement relatively to each other and to the frame, the frame and plates each having coincident orifices of such size to permit the passage freely therethrough of a match-splint, the orifices in the plates or bars having oppositely-arranged restricted extensions which will clamp the sides of the match-splint upon the said relative movement. I preferably cut away one of the sides of each of the said orifice extensions at about the point at which it unites with the main portion of its orifice to a greater extent than the other. The projecting shoulder thus formed causes the rotation of a matchsplint about its longitudinal axis to a predetermined position when such match-splint has been presented out of sueh'position.

The objects of my invention are to simplify the construction and the operation of a match-splint carrier, to lock the splints se? curely in the said carrier, but in locking them to reduce to a minimum the liability of breakage, and to straighten or aline to a predetermined position a match-splint during or bcfore the operation of locking.

I will now proceed to describe a matchsplint carrier embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is aface View of a match-splint carrier embodying my invention with the locking plates. or bars in position ready to receive the splints. Fig. 2 is a face view of a match-splint carrier embodying my invention with the locking bars or plates in the positions which they assume in locking the match-splint. Fig. 8 is a face view of a portion of the frame having mounted thereon a pair of locking-plates, vthe locking-plates being in similar relative positions to those shown in Fig. l. Fig. et represents a transverse section upon the plane of the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. views, on an enlarged scale, of portions of the locking-plates and showing more clearly the form or shape of the locking-orifices therein and the manner in which they operate upon the match-splint.

The splint-carrier frame or support in the present example of myinvention is shown as a rectangular block and designated bythe reference character 8. This block may conveniently be made of wood for lightness and cheapness, but may be made of any other desired material. It has a plurality of orifices 9, which are here shown as arranged in a series of transverse rows. As shown herein, there are twenty of these orifices to a row and fortyeig-ht rows to a frame. Each orifice is arranged to receive a single match-splint, and thus one frame is arranged to carry nine hundred and sixty splints. The orifices 9 are of sufficient size to permit a match-splint to pass freely through the frame.

The frame 8 is provided with a series of locking plates or bars arranged in pairs, each pair being movable with respect to each other and to the frame, but independent of any of the other bars or plates. Y I will, for purposesof this specification, describe one pair of these Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detail k y IOO plates or bars, and it will be understood that such description will apply equally Well to all the others.

The locking plates or bars, which are respectively designated by the reference characters 10 and 11, are superposed upon each other and together secured to the frame by means of screws 12, which pass through slotted openings 13 in the said bars or plates. Such connection permitsasmall relative longitudinal movement of the plates with respect to each other and to the frame.

The locking-plates 10 and 11 are each pro'- vided with a 'plurality of match-splint receiving and locking orifices 14. These orifices are of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethroughof a match-splint. In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 this relation of size is fairly illustrated, the portion designated by the reference character 15 being intended to repre-v sent a match-splint in transverse section.

The locking plates or bars are so arranged with respect to'each other and to the frame that in one of their positions the orifices inv the said plates or bars and the oriiicesin the frame are substantially coincident. They are in such relative positions in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, and when in suchv positions match-splints will pass freely there.

througln as illustrated in Fig. 5. For clearness and simplicity of illustration I have shown but a few of the orifices 14 in the locking plates or bars in Figs. 1 and 2, the first pair of locking plates or bars in each view being the only ones which are shown with theirfull complement ot' orifices. It Will be understood, ofcourse, that the other lockingv platesor bars illustrated in these figures are similar tothose of the first series.

The orifices in the lockingA plates or bars 1()` and 11 have each a restricted extension 1G, (see more particularly Figs. 5, 6, and 7,) the said extension being arranged substantially in the line of movement of the said plates. The width of the restricted extension 16 in its smallest part is somewhat less than the width of the match-splint to be carried. If the locking-plates be moved longitudinally of each other, they will finally assume apositi'onsuch asis shown in Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings. thev orifices 14, as in Fig. 5, will upon such movement be gripped at the sides thereof parallel With the line of movement of the plates or bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. It will be, noticed by an examination of such iigu-re, however, that the match-splint is not necessarily gripped upon those of its sides-A which are transverse to the said line of movement of the said locking plates or bars, and

severing orzbreaking the match-splint due to a slight overthrow of the locking plates or bars isA obviated. The grip upon the sides of the 'match-splint isof such a quality that after the splints have been locked in position the A match-splint presented within' locking plates or bars are themselves held against accidental displacement, due to the frictional contact upon the sides of the matchsplints, without any independent means being necessary for such a purpose.

The plates or bars are shown as turned up at their ends, as at 17, and these turned-up ends form convenient surfaces against which cams or other devices may be applied in order to obtain the desired relative movement thereof. The means, however, for causing this relative movement of the plates with respect to each other forms no part of this present invention, and hence no detail description of same is given herein.

In order to take care of match-splints which arenot correctly Ypresented to the lockingplates and to correctly aline and position same, I have provided means whereby a match-splint may be rotated longitudinally of its axis. In this manner the match-splints may be rotated to the desired and predetermined position and afterward locked in the position to which they have been so rotated. For this purpose I have cut away one side of the extensions of the orilices at about the point at which they unite with the main portion of vtheir oritices to a vgreater extent than the other. The effect of this is to leave shouldersy or projecting .portions 18 upon the opposite sides thereof. When the locking plates or bars 10 and 11 are moved relatively to each other in the direction shown by the arrows in Figs. 5, 6, and'7 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 7, the shoulders 18 will engage with a match-splint Which has been presented otherwise than with itssmallest diameter in a. line parallel with the line of movement of the locking plates or bars and willrotate same about its longitudinal axis until it is brought into aposition with its sides 4parallel with the said line of movement, as shown in-Fig. 7. Fig. 6. shows the locking plates or bars in an'intermediate position, with the shoulders 18 engaging with the splint and rotating it, as just described.

any modifications of theprecise form and construction of my invention herein shown and described are possible, as is and. will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains. I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the exact details herein.

What I claim is- 1. A carrier for match-splints having means longitudinal axis to a predetermined position,

i and for locking it in the position to which it has been so rotated. by reason of such provision the danger of l' 2. A plate or bar, for a match-splint carrier, having an orii'cetherethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, the said orifice having a restricted lateral extension adapted to clamp the sides of a match-splint upon a IOO IIO

relativ'e movement of the match-splint with the bar or plate, transversely of the matchsplint.

3. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two locking-plates movable with respect to each other, each plate having au. oriiice for receiving a match-splint, the said oriices having convergent sides which run in opposite directions in the said plates.

4:. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two plates or bars relatively movable with respect to each other, each plate or bar having an oriiice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, and the said orifices having each a restricted extension, oppositely arranged, for clamping the match-splint upon the relative movement of the plates or bars, with respect to each other.

5.' In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two plates or bars relatively movable with respect to each other, each plate or bar having an orifice therethrough of sufticient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, and the said orifices having each a restricted extension, oppositely arranged, for clamping the match-splint upon the relative movement of the plates or bars, with respect to each other, such clamping action taking place at the sides of the matchsplint parallel with the line of movement o the plates or bars.

6. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two plates or bars relatively movable with respect to each other, each plate or bar having an orifice therethrough of sufcient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, and the said orifices having each a restricted extension, oppositely arranged, for clamping the match-splint upon the relative movement of the plates or bars, with respect to each other, such clamping action, taking place only at the sides of the match-splint parallel with the line of movement of the plates or bars.

7. In a match-splint carrier, the combination with a frame having an orifice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, of a locking plate or bar, relatively movable with respect to said frame, transversely of the said orice, and also having an orifice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, said last-named orifice having a restricted extension, adapted to clamp the sides of the matchsplint upon the said relative movement of the said plate or bar and frame.

8. In a match-splint carrier, the combination with a frame having an orifice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, of two plates or bars mounted upon said frame and relatively movable with respect to each other and to the frame, each plate or bar having an orifice therethrough adapted to register with each other and with the orifice in the frame, said orifices in the plates or bars also being of sufficient size to permit the passage therethrough of a match splint, and each having a restricted extension, oppositely arranged, for clamping the match-splint, upon the saidv relative movement of the bars or plates.

9. In a match-splint carrier, the combination with a frame having an orice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, of two superposed plates or bars mounted upon said frame, means whereby the plates or bars may be moved in opposite directions relatively longitudinally of each other and in opposite directions relatively to the frame, said plates or bars having orifices therethrough of such size and shape as to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint before said movement and to clamp the match upon said movement.

lO. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two locking-plates movable with respect to each other, each plate having an oritice for receiving a match-splint, the said orices having convergent sides which run in opposite directions in the said plates, and the convergent sides in a said orifice being unsymmetrical, as and for the purpose set forth.

ll. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two plates or bars relatively movable with respect to each other, each plate or bar having an oriice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of a match-splint, and the said oriiices having each an oppositely-arranged restricted eXtension, one side of each said extension being cut away, at about the point at which it unites with the main portion of its orifice, to a greater extent than the other.

12. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two locking plates or bars movable with respect to each other, and having rigid locking surfaces, each of the said plates adapted in its movementto clamp both the two sides of a match-splint parallel with the line of the said movement.

13. In a match-splint carrier, the combination of two locking plates or bars movable with respect to each other, and having rigid locking surfaces, each of the said plates adapted in its movement to clamp both and only, the two sides of amatch-splint parallel with the line of the said movement.

14. A locking plate or bar, for a matchsplint carrier, having an orifice therethrough of sufficient size to permit the free passage therethrough of the match-splint, the said orice having a restricted lateral extension, ot' substantially the form and shape shown in the drawings.

ARTHUR N. CALKINS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM R. SWETT, J. ARTHUR HooKEv.

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